About 120 winter sports athletes from 20 countries will descend on the slopes of Tetnuldi in Georgia's highland Svaneti province starting this Tuesday to showcase their freeride skills in the Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ), hosted for the first time in the country.

Between February 8-12, the FWQ will involve smaller, two-star, and larger, four-star competitions, with the former featuring local and beginner participants, and the latter involving high-ranking international competitors and global coverage. 

Mountain Resorts of Georgia, the national body overseeing winter resorts, called the tournament a “unique opportunity", adding a successful hosting of the event would enable the country to hold the Freeride World Tour, a higher level contest, in the future. 

The state organisation also said holding the event to a high standard would demonstrate the potential of Georgia's ski resorts internationally.

It will increase the awareness of Georgia's ski resorts and make them more attractive to local and foreign tourists and investors, which, in turn, will contribute to the development of tourism in Georgia and the creation of an appropriate investment environment,” Mountain Resorts of Georgia said. 

The event is organised by the Mountain Resorts Development Company with the support of the USAID Economic Security Programme, Mestia Municipality City Hall, Svaneti Destination Management Organisation Shan Land and the National Tourism Administration. 

The FWQ was created in 2008 by FWT Management SA and was “designed to develop the talent and skills of up-and-coming athletes.”

agenda.ge